<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">The River Bathe</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">WHEN the messenger sunbeam over your bed</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Silently creeps in the morn;</p><p class="line">And the dew-drops glitter on flower and tree,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Like the tears of hope new-born;</p><p class="line">When the clouds race by In the painted sky</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">And the wind has a merry tune:</p><p class="line">Ah! then for the joy of an early dip</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">In the glorious pools of Lune!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Up! up from your bed! Let the sluggards lie</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">In an airy palace of dreams,</p><p class="line">Respond to the joyous lapwing's call</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">And the song of the burbling streams!</p><p class="line">Oh, balmy the air, and wondrous fair</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Are the hills with sunlight crowned,</p><p class="line">And all the voices of nature seem</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">To mingle in one glad sound.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Then hurry along, for as light as the heart</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Are the feet on a morning in June,</p><p class="line">To the banks that are speckled with sunshine and shade,</p><p class="line">'Neath the guardian trees of Lune,</p><p class="line">Where the eddies play with the rocks all day</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">In a whirl of fretful fun,</p><p class="line">And the wavelet kisses the pebbly shore</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">With a mirrored smile from the sun.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">A good brave plunge in the crystal cool</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Of this grand primeval tub:</p><p class="line">Then glowing you stand on the warm dry rocks</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">By the edge of the foaming Dub.</p><p class="line">Then homeward along, like the soul of a song</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">That has every note in tune;</p><p class="line">And dear will the memory always be</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:%">Of the glorious pools of Lune.</p></div><p><em>November</em>, 1910.</p></body></html> · Great War